Waveguide interface adapter and method of manufacture

Abstract

A waveguide interface for a waveguide having a split ring with a first half and a second half joined by a web portion. The split ring first half and second half having an inner surface configured to mate with an exterior of the waveguide, the first half and the second half foldable towards each other and around the exterior of the waveguide, along the web portion. An overbody with a bore is dimensioned to receive the waveguide therethrough; the bore having a shoulder at an interface end dimensioned to receive the split ring.

1. A waveguide interface for a waveguide, comprising:
 a split ring with a first half and a second half joined by a web portion; the split ring first half and the split ring second half having a respective inner surface configured to mate with an exterior of the waveguide, the first half and the second half foldable along the web portion towards each other and around an exterior of the waveguide; and 
 an overbody with a bore dimensioned to receive the waveguide; the bore having a shoulder at an interface end dimensioned to receive the split ring folded around the exterior of the waveguide; 
 the shoulder and the split ring rotationally interlocked by a non-circular periphery of the split ring. 
 
     
     
       2. The waveguide interface of  claim 1 , wherein the split ring is retained in the shoulder by an interconnection between at least one alignment protrusion in a waveguide side of the split ring and least one alignment hole of the shoulder. 
     
     
       3. The waveguide interface of  claim 2 , where in the interconnection between the at least one alignment protrusion and the at least one alignment hole is via an interference fit. 
     
     
       4. The waveguide interface of  claim 1 , wherein the split ring has an outer snap protrusion projecting from a periphery of the split ring; the outer snap protrusion dimensioned to seat within a snap groove of the shoulder, retaining the split ring in the shoulder. 
     
     
       5. The waveguide interface of  claim 1 , wherein the split ring is retained in the shoulder by at least one fastener passing through the split ring and into a threaded hole of the overbody. 
     
     
       6. The waveguide interface of  claim 1 , further including a retaining means integral with the split ring. 
     
     
       7. The waveguide interface of  claim 1 , further including a retaining means at an end of the first half of the split ring and an end of the second half of the split ring. 
     
     
       8. The waveguide interface of  claim 1 , further including a socket of the first half of the split ring and a pin of the second half of the split ring which mate together in an interference fit upon folding of the split ring along the web portion. 
     
     
       9. The waveguide interface of  claim 1 , wherein the respective inner surface mates with a corresponding helical corrugation of the waveguide. 
     
     
       10. The waveguide interface of  claim 1 , further including a waveguide seal having a waveguide seal interior surface dimensioned to mate with an exterior of the waveguide; the waveguide seal positioned between the overbody and the split ring around the exterior of the waveguide. 
     
     
       11. The waveguide interface of  claim 1 , further including an interface sealing shoulder at the interface end of the shoulder. 
     
     
       12. A method for manufacturing a waveguide interface, comprising the steps of:
 forming a split ring of polymer material with a first half and a second half joined by a web portion; 
 the split ring first half and the split ring second half having a respective inner surface configured to mate with an exterior of the waveguide, the first half of the split ring and the second half of the split ring foldable towards each other and around the exterior of the waveguide, along the web portion; and 
 forming an overbody with a bore dimensioned to receive the waveguide therethrough; the bore having a shoulder at an interface end dimensioned to receive the split ring. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the split ring is formed in a pre-folded configuration with no overhanging edges. 
     
     
       14. A method for manufacturing a waveguide interface, comprising the steps of:
 forming a split ring with a first half and a second half joined by a webportion; 
 the split ring formed via one of die casting, injection molding and thixotropic metal molding; 
 the split ring first half and the split ring second half having a respective inner surface configured to mate with an exterior of the waveguide, the first half of the split ring and the second half of the split ring foldable towards each other and around the exterior of the waveguide, along the web portion; and 
 forming an overbody with a bore dimensioned to receive the waveguide therethrough; the bore having a shoulder at an interface end dimensioned to receive the split ring. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the split ring is formed with at least one alignment protrusion dimensioned to seat within at least one alignment hole formed in the shoulder. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 12 , wherein a retaining means is formed integral with the split ring. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 12 , further including forming a socket in the first half of the split ring and a pin in the second half of the split ring which mate together upon folding of the split ring along the web portion. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the split ring is formed with an outer snap protrusion dimensioned to seat within a snap groove formed in the shoulder. 
     
     
       19. A waveguide interface for a waveguide, comprising:
 a split ring with a first half and a second half joined by a web portion; the split ring first half and the split ring second half having an inner surface configured to mate with an exterior of the waveguide, the first half and the second half foldable towards each other and around the exterior of the waveguide, along the web portion; 
 a socket in the first half of the split ring and a pin in the second half of the split ring mate together in an interference fit upon folding of the split ring along the web portion; 
 an overbody with a bore dimensioned to receive the waveguide; the bore having a shoulder at an interface end dimensioned to receive the split ring; 
 the shoulder and the split ring are rotationally interlocked by a non-circular periphery of the split ring; and 
 the split ring having at least one alignment protrusion dimensioned to seat within at least one alignment hole of the shoulder.